5 Years of YouTube Politics [INFOGRAPHIC]

YouTube, which has quickly become the media site of record, has put together an infographic celebrating five years of political highs and lows.

If someone important does anything wonderful, stupid or wonderfully stupid on camera — it is likely the site has the video. This is typically true of the political arena, as politicians often make gaffes while they’re on the road, whether it’s during bill debates or a casual conversation.

YouTube and other video hosting sites provide a place where the public can find and watch hours of clips featuring elected officials. More than 500 U.S. candidates for office have official channels.

Of course, it’s not all fail videos and mistakes, YouTube has also played an increasingly large role in elections and the day-to-day operations of the White House. So now the site has gone back and traced its complicated but important relationship with American politics starting with then-Sen. George Allen’s (R.-Va.) racial slur — “macaca” — as the video that put YouTube on the political map.

Take a look at how YouTube and politics have grown, from President Barack Obama’s weekly addresses, CNN’s debates in 2007 to the 2012 presidential announcement videos. Is YouTube and government a match made in heaven? Does video, especially on a free and open site like YouTube, help the political process? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.